Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that disinformation played a significant role in the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).

Speaking at the sixth annual Nigerian Civil War Symposium organised by the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) on Wednesday in Abuja, Obasanjo described the theme, “The Role of Disinformation in the Nigerian Civil War”, as highly relevant in today’s era of asymmetric warfare.

He noted that disinformation, propaganda, psychological warfare, and the spread of false narratives are tactics often used by weaker forces to undermine stronger opponents in such conflicts, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

“Disinformation played a significant role in the Nigerian Civil War, exacerbating tensions and influencing public opinion,” the former President said.

“The same strategy is currently being employed by the insurgents in North East and other violent groups in other parts of Nigeria.”

“In line with the theme, the Symposium will therefore highlight the importance of media and information operations in conflict resolution and nation-building,” he said.

The former president stressed the importance of Nigeria being deliberate and diligent in studying history, especially military history, to extract and apply crucial lessons.

Quoting the saying, “A child who does not learn history will be told history,” he added that understanding the past is vital for navigating the present and building a more just and equitable future for all Nigerians.

Mr. Obasanjo praised AWCN for incorporating the study of the Nigerian Civil War into its curriculum, highlighting how this will strengthen the capabilities of operational-level leaders to effectively apply lessons from past campaigns in their planning.

“This fratricide conflict left an indelible mark on our nation’s collective memory and continues to shape our identity,” he added.

“The war’s complex causes, consequences and lessons offer valuable insights for us all.”

Earlier, the Commandant of AWCN, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali, explained that the symposium was organized to strengthen the intellectual and leadership skills of officers attending the AWCN Course 9/2025.

He noted that the college intentionally included the study of the Civil War in its curriculum to enable participants to analyze and extract practical lessons from historical campaigns.

Maj.-Gen. Alkali added that the symposium’s theme aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy of building a combat-ready, professional force capable of fulfilling its constitutional duties in a joint operational environment.

“This symposium allows us to analyse past military operations at strategic, operational, and tactical levels,” he said.

“By understanding how disinformation shaped the Nigerian Civil War, we are better equipped to manage the information space in today’s battles.”

The guest lecturer, Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo, Vice Chancellor of Admiralty University, examined the impact of propaganda, media manipulation, and false narratives during the conflict.

He highlighted how misinformation frequently influenced public opinion and policy-making throughout the war.